LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17018, 15 December 1920, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP. THE AMERICANS IN ACTION. (SPECIAi TO "THE PRESS.") AUCKLAND, December 4. The outward symbol of the tennis premiership of the world arrived from Australia by the Riverine- Th> trophy, which was consigned through on Auckland esprees agency, was in the- custody of the chief officer of the ship. Th? promised demonstration for the benefit of pupils of the Auckland secondary schools was given by the American players on the Eden and Epsom courts this afternoon. Several hundred boys and girls from the different schools- attended, forming a deep ring- all round tho two courts on which tho exhibition games were plaved. The conditions wero ideal, with the "bright sunshine, the r,ourt3, after the week-end rain, playing last and true. Three games were played, Tilden and Johnston nice-tin? in a particularlv attractive singles, and Washburn anr \ Hardv playing another. The four players then met in a cloeely contested series of doubles. The meeting resulted in some especially .attractive tennis. Clorely fought rallies at the net, with crisp volleying following ono another, were features of many of tho tames, delighting the spectators, from whom camo p?riodiic burrf-s of applause, particularly when a ball suitable for a kill led to a tremendous smrsh or a beautifully placed line shot. Johnston was playing roticeably attractive tennis, his speedy <v deep driving from the line, beautifully judged volleying, and lightnin? overhead work, providing a class of tennis such as nono of the young spectators could have 6een before, Tho who!e exhibition, given with an eye to showing the finer points of highAJass tennis, was of a distinctly educative value. The Australasian team practiced at the Paroell courts in tho afternoon, there boing a largo attendance of tho publio to witness them in ortion. O'Hara Wood did not practise to-day, nl he strained himself 6lightly yesterday." He is expected to be on the courts, however, tomorrow. At to-day's practice- Hcaifli defeated Patterson in two sets. • Brookes wan in great foTm, and also defeated Patterson in on© eot. Both teams will practise on th© match court on Thursday, when the public will mdt bo admitted. ALTERATION OF RULES. (By Cabh»—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received December 14th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. Tbere is. great perturbation in tho tennis world at the so-called revolutionary proposal to alter the service rule. At to-day*B annual meeting of tho Association it was proposed to require tho server to have both feet behind the lino, or if ono is raised, it must be grounded before either foot entered the court. Critics said the alteration would favour a tame servioo at the expense of tho modem Australian and American service, therefore thoy condemned as unsportsmanlike any attempt to mako a change. It was known, before-hand that America wa« hostile, but tho attitude of tho Dominion delegates was not disclosed. The meeting eventually deoided to postpone a decision until tho other nations hadi been consulted. Tli© meeting resolved that If a eerver missed tho ball in attempting to serve it should count aa a fault. The AeeociaAian considered an important motion to empower the In-tcrnational tion to modify laws of tho game, on condition that the efflcial decisive text of tho laws be in tho English language, and that the alterations be mad© unanimously at a general meeting of tho Federation Tho motion was referred back to 010 council after a length discussion. It was pointed out that Amorica had already altered the laws, and chaos would ensue unless uniformity wero mado possible. The opponents of tho motion claimed that th© privilege to make' laws was- the English Association'* birthright. Tho American precedent was vahieleas, as America had not joined the Federation